He loved cooking and so we sometimes visited his community in Kangemi to enjoy his fellowship and fine cuisine- Fr. Jim Strzok, SJ

In Memoriam: Fr. Michael A. Evans, S.J.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. Michael A. Evans, S.J. (CDT), who died on Monday, September 1, 2014, at Providence Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. He was 60 years old. May he rest in peace.
Mike was born on August 20, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. He entered the Society of Jesus on September 6, 1975, at Loyola House in Berkley, Michigan. He was ordained June 18, 1983. He took final vows on May 24, 1993, at the University of Detroit Mercy Chapel in Detroit, Michigan. Before entering the Society, Mike earned Bachelor of Arts Degrees in English and History from the University of Detroit Mercy.

After novitiate, Mike earned a Master's Degree in Philosophy from the University of Detroit Mercy (1977-1978). He studied Theology in Innsbruck for a year (1980-1981) before earning a Master's of Divinity (1981-1983), a Master's of Theological Studies (1983-1984), and a S.T.L (1991-1993) from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.

He earned a Master's of Arts in International Relations and Development from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland (1984-1986) and a Ph.D. in Economic Development and Social Ethics (1986-1991) from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California (1991).

During regency Mike taught History and English at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. After studies, Mike was the regional director of Eastern Africa Jesuit Refugee Services in Nairobi (1991-1996). Mike spent four years in the Detroit Province as president of Loyola High School in Detroit, Michigan (1996-2000); he returned to the the Eastern Africa Province where he was the province's treasurer and development director (2000-2010).
"I remember Mike well and am saddened by news of his death," said Fr. Jim Strzok, SJ. "He was our AOR (Eastern Africa) treasurer. He loved the International Christian Community in Nairobi and got me started there as a regular Sunday celebrant. He loved cooking and so we sometimes visited his community in Kangemi to enjoy his fellowship and fine cuisine. I found him always helpful with finances, and working hard for the province to make contacts and bring support as only he could."

Mike was also the treasurer of JESAM, the African Assistancy (2004-2010). He returned to the United States in October 2010 and was the national director of the USA Jesuit Refugee Service (2010-2012). In 2012, Mike moved to Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan, to deal with health issues.

"[He] was a very close friend, and was like a father to me," said Agnes N. Mbugua, in a remembrance. "When he was going for surgery, I promised him to pray the Rosary of Devine Mercy. And today I will continue praying the same for his soul. I love you Mike, but God loved you the most."

Mike's desire was to have his body cremated.

His wake was Friday, September 5, 2014 at Gesu Parish in Detroit, MI. The funeral was Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the church. Burial followed at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, MI.

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August 21, 2018 – As we reckon with the Grand Jury report on sexual abuse by priests in Pennsylvania and the failures of bishops to protect the children entrusted to their care, our hearts and prayers—first and foremost—are with the victim-survivors.

January 17, 2019 — Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Eugene F. Merz, SJ, who was called to eternal life on January 16, 2019, around 5:30 a.m. Gene died at Zilber Hospice in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was eighty-seven years old, a Jesuit for seventy years, and a priest for fifty-seven years.

January 16, 2019 — It was a homecoming fifty years in the making. In 2016, Fr. Casey Bukala, SJ, moved to the Colombiere Center near Detroit, where elder Jesuits live in community, receive the healthcare they need, and pray for the Church and the Society. It was not Fr. Bukala’s first time at Colombiere, however.

January 9, 2019 — Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. John “Jack” R. Crocker, SJ, who died on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. He was 88 years old. May he rest in peace.